Samuel Gawith: Squadron Leader Special Edition with Perique 50g Pipe Tobacco

Product Number: 003-059-0062

Named in honor of the Royal Air Force pilots who flew Gloster Gladiator biplanes in early days of the second World War, Samuel Gawith's Squadron Leader is a quintessential, all-day English blend of Latakia, Turkish, and Virginia tobaccos. Its original recipe, however, dates back to 1925, prior to WWII, and incorporated Perique.

In collaboration with Bob Gregory of Samuel Gawith, we're proud to release this Smokingpipes.com exclusive, limited edition run of the original Squadron Leader recipe, restricted to only 4,500 tins. It's still very much an English blend, but the Perique adds a subtly sweet and spicy aftertaste for a slightly fuller, more nuanced variation.

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Samuel Gawith Squadron Leader Special Edition with Perique 50g

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Components: Virginia, Latakia, Perique, Orientals
Family: English
Cut: Ribbon

Customer Reviews

Overall Rating:

4.0

13 reviews

Sort Reviews:

very nice!

January 19, 2023

Product: Samuel Gawith Squadron Leader Special Edition with Perique 50g

2015 blend: Tin notes of sour, smoky, tangy and sweet. The fat ribbon cut seems to be bigger than regular squadron leader. Color is brown, dark brown and black. The Tabacco is relatively dry, and no prep needed. Burns at a normal rate and required few relights. The strength is mild-med and nic is mild. No flavoring detected despite tin note. The taste is med-full, with notes of spicy, smoky, slightly sweet plums and floral. Latakia is driving with perique riding shotgun. The Virginias and Turkish are bringing up the rear. Room note is tolerable. Has a very great aftertaste....Read More

More Please

December 28, 2020

By: The Pipe Professor

Product: Samuel Gawith Squadron Leader Special Edition with Perique 50g

This blend is a wonderful remake and I wish it were a regular production tobacco. The balance of the tobacco is fantastic providing the smoker rich, woody, campfire notes accented with a spicy pepper undertone. One of my favorite tobaccos! Purchase with confidence, you won't go wrong here....Read More

Nice balance!

September 13, 2019

Product: Samuel Gawith Squadron Leader Special Edition with Perique 50g

Having tried the previous version of Squadron Leader and finding it to be too latakia forward I thought I would give this a try because it was said to be more following the original recipe. I really like this! The perique balances the latakia wonderfully offering a sweet but balanced and complex smoke! I admit I am not a huge latakia fan but I think that is because all the blends I have smoked have been dominated by the latakia and not at all balanced like this is. I hope this becomes the regular Squadron Leader again! It tops of the flight for sure!!...Read More

Truly Excellant

August 31, 2019

Product: Samuel Gawith Squadron Leader Special Edition with Perique 50g

I just tried this blend for the first time while sitting on my front porch this morning having my morning coffee. I typically have english blends in the morning with coffee and this blend was excellent! A mild English with just enough Perique to tickle the nose a little on the way out. I only managed to get a few tins of this limited release so it can't be my daily blend....Instead think I will savor it on weekend mornings in hopes that my supply will last until it comes out again. Oh yeah, think I will also dedicate my Savinelli Hercules 111 to this blend as it has wonderfully big bowl....Read More

Difficult to lid

November 04, 2019

Product: Samuel Gawith Squadron Leader Special Edition with Perique 50g

Need to relight for so many times, the taste so mild , as well as nicotine lv. May be for light weight smoker only

Updated:

Give another try, this time the tobacco is drier, better perform but still need 1-2 relight. Burn cooler too and taste better.

4500 Tins Sold Out in a Day

September 03, 2019

By: puffingmypipes

Product: Samuel Gawith Squadron Leader Special Edition with Perique 50g

Folks, there's a reason why this SE sold out after everyone begged for it to come back. Its extremely refined and pleasant - doesn't attempt to be something its not. This is a straightforward English blend. I found the 2019 issue to smoke well straight from the tin (no major drying needed) and I'm interested to see how these age. If you can still find any on the resale market, absolutely grab one....Read More

Quality tobacco but...

September 03, 2019

Product: Samuel Gawith Squadron Leader Special Edition with Perique 50g

I'm an unapologetic lover of aromatic pipe tobacco but wanted to broaden my horizons. I decided to try to get into English blends and the reviews for Squadron Leader made it seem like a good candidate for my first foray. Plus, I think the tin art is cool. Well, Squadron Leader is REALLY difficult to find. When this limited edition blend came available, I jumped and was lucky enough to get tin # 563 of 4500. I think it sold out in like 24 hours! I popped the top and the tin note was like a barn yard. Not unpleasant but very grassy and hay like. I really like the cut and moisture content of the tobacco. It was packed tight but came away in nice shaggy ribbons. It was a bit moist so I filled my pipe and let it sit for a few hours as is my habit. The tobacco lit with one match and burned very nicely with light tamping and no re-lights needed. I thought the smoke seemed a bit thin and the taste was sort of underwhelming. A bit too cigarette-ish for me. I did get a subtle peppery sweetness toward the middle of the bowl probably from the added Perique. I do think this is quality tobacco but the taste is not for me. I will cellar this tin and revisit as my tastes change and mature. Back to the Cult Blood Red Moon lol....Read More

English, but tamed a bit

September 01, 2019

Product: Samuel Gawith Squadron Leader Special Edition with Perique 50g

A truly English blend. The Perique adds a note of balance. Great taste, but I have been relegated to the patio or the workshop when it is in the bowl because the room note does not please my wife. I will just spend more time in my workshop with Squadron Leader.

Collection Item?

August 28, 2019

Product: Samuel Gawith Squadron Leader Special Edition with Perique 50g

Is this limited supply being considered as a collection item? Will there be an availability after the supply is gone?

incredible

June 12, 2018

By: Jonathan F.

Product: Samuel Gawith Squadron Leader Special Edition with Perique 50g

the perique gives this blend a great balance and strength